Food and Recipes Seafood Shrimp Chicken-and-Shrimp Kebabs with Summer Vegetables and Basil Oil Recipe Quick-cooking chicken and shrimp partner up with flavorful peppers, zucchini, and onions to create fun summer kebabs, perfect for a weeknight meal. While you are soaking the bamboo skewers, you can make the basil oil, cube the chicken and cut the vegetables. Keep an eye on the kebabs once you get them all on the grill—the shrimp kebabs will cook a little quicker than the chicken kebabs. You can also make the basil vinaigrette a day or so in advance and store in the fridge until you are ready to use it; shake it to blend well. The basil oil also makes a great dipping oil for pieces of torn bread. By Karen Schroeder-Rankin Karen Schroeder-Rankin Karen Rankin is a chef, recipe developer, and food stylist with over 25 years experience cooking, developing recipes, styling food, and entertaining guests at her table and in restaurants. During the past 11 years, Karen has been styling food for various publications such as Cooking Light, Southern Living, Eating Well, Real Simple, as well as creating instructional videos for Southern Living Magazine's Tips from the Test Kitchen, featured on select television programming, and on websites. With an interest in the use of color, texture, and presentation, she develops recipes that are intended to surprise and delight the recipients of these dishes, both from a visual standpoint and a flavor experience. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on July 29, 2020 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Active Time: 25 mins Total Time: 50 mins Yield: 6 serves Ingredients 12 (10-inch) wooden skewers 2 cups water 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves (about 1 oz.) 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar 3/4 cup olive oil, divided 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 36 (1-inch) cubes 2 medium-size red bell peppers, cut into 24 (1-inch) pieces 2 medium-size yellow bell peppers, cut into 24 (1-inch) pieces 1 medium-size red onion, cut into 36 (1-inch) pieces 1 medium-size zucchini, cut into 24 (1/2-inch-thick) half-moons 36 peeled and deveined raw medium shrimp (about 12 oz.) Directions Soak wooden skewers in water 30 minutes; drain. Meanwhile, bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan over high. Add fresh basil, and cook, stirring constantly, until leaves wilt. Drain and pat leaves dry with a paper towel. Place basil, vinegar, 1/2 cup of the olive oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper in a blender. Process until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Preheat grill to medium (350°F to 400°F). Thread 6 chicken cubes, 2 red bell pepper pieces, 2 yellow bell pepper pieces, 3 onion pieces, and 2 zucchini pieces alternately onto each of 6 skewers. Repeat procedure with remaining 6 skewers, threading each with 6 shrimp, 2 red bell pepper pieces, 2 yellow bell pepper pieces, 3 onion pieces, and 2 zucchini pieces. Drizzle skewers evenly with remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, and sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Grill, uncovered, until chicken and shrimp are done and vegetables are lightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes per side. (Shrimp kebabs will cook more quickly than chicken kebabs.) Transfer kebabs to a serving platter as they finish cooking. Brush evenly with half of the basil oil. Serve with remaining basil oil for dipping or drizzling. Print